Kryptonite WheelBoltz

The Kryptonite WheelBoltz are a set of locking skewers with a difference. Part of the Gravity range, they use a pin system that, when correctly set up, will not permit removal unless the bike is turned upside down. Like any security, it's not foolproof, and stirs conflicting emotions in me.

There are two versions. Ours is designed for hollow axles, but there are also 'nutz' 9 and 10mm track nut versions for the fixed and hub gear fraternity. Both are made from heat treated steel and come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Being a strictly secondary form of defence, this does not cover theft.

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Most forks/frame ends are catered for with 130/150mm skewers; I've had no difficulty swapping them between my road and derailleur geared dirt-biased fleet. Staying with fitting, the instructions are pretty clear, although the miracle of YouTube makes this all the more obvious. 

Nipping them snug with the generic 5mm hex key, I was pleasantly surprised to find Kryptonite hadn't skimped on the grease, so in the everyday sense, corrosion shouldn't be an issue, but I'd still whip 'em out and grease the skewers every six months or so, especially on a daily driver.

Now, many will be a little perturbed by the 5mm key. Personally, I prefer the unique key-specific mechanisms used by others, including Atomic 22, since chancers often carry a set of Allen keys and pliers for brute-force pilfering.

On the flip side, these can be an absolute pain, should you forget or lose them, and then puncture several miles from home. At least with the 5mm and a few practice drills from the comfort of home, you can lessen the nightmarish scenario.

So long as you have locked the bike to an immovable object and it cannot be turned upside down, I've been quite confident about leaving the front wheel otherwise unsecured around town, say when running a few errands, or meeting friends. Similarly, they've been welcome on longer group rides when you've stopped off at the cafe for a fuel up and only wanted the encumbrance of one lock.

Trying to prise the resin cone adrift with pliers left some minor calling cards but nothing parted company.

Pros

On many levels, they meet their design brief in the sense that they provide additional defence against opportunist theft. Though relatively pricey, they are aesthetically pleasing and relatively light. They could work out very cheaply in the longer term when the cost of replacement wheels are factored into the equation.

Cons

Twelve years spent living and commuting around London's seedier districts taught me that locks are only to keep honest people out. However, good locks used properly are the best visual deterrent. If you can persuade a thief in a glance to look for easier pickings, they've done their job. The danger is when a thief starts weighing things up.

> Beginner's guide to bike security

My preferred choice, Atomic 22, aren't that much more expensive, and the only security skewers I would feel comfortable forgoing a front lock with in big cities. I'm talking for short periods and in well trafficked parts – not backstreets or slum neighbourhoods where, unable to defeat the lock, I've known thieves wreck a bike out of sheer frustration.

Verdict

Useful security that should foil opportnist wheel theft, but using a 5mm hex key is less secure than some systems